
- BGG rank
- BGG #6,474
- BGG rating
- 6.2
BuyWord
- 1–4 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 2004

1997
Rules assistance for Shanghai
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 3 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Shanghai is a board game released in 1997 for 3–6 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Sid Sackson and its main mechanics are Auction / Bidding.
Players bid for the right to choose which of three locations the marker will go. Once there, any of the players can score by having a corresponding card for that location. Things are complicated by the fact that player payouts for using a card vary through the use of a clock-type mechanism. The goal of the game is to score enough points to overtake a non-player scoring token that advances throughout the game. Awards 1997 Vuoden Perhepeli Re-implements: Holiday
Shanghai supports 3–6 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Shanghai is 30 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Shanghai for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Shanghai has a complexity rating of 1.7 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Shanghai belongs to these categories: Bluffing. Its main mechanics are Auction / Bidding. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Shanghai are: Sid Sackson. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Shanghai as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.